Former Warrior to skate for Kenai River Brown Bears

KENAI — When the 2009-10 high school hockey season ended, Trent Wohlers wasn’t sure where he’d be playing in 2010-11. The Wasilla all-state forward did know he wanted to try to make the move to the junior level. Now, after a surprise call earlier this summer, Wohlers will get his chance.

Wohlers, a former Warriors standout, will play for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the North American Hockey League.

“It kind of came out of the blue,” Wohlers said by phone from Kenai last Friday of his chance to play with the Brown Bears, a rival of the Alaska Avalanche in the NAHL West Division.

Wohlers, a defenseman by trade who skated on Wasilla High’s top offensive line for three seasons, has history with the Avalanche. He competed for the Junior Avalanche U-18 AAA midget program.Wohlers said, at one point, he thought he might one day land with the Avs’ Junior A program. But once Kenai River tendered him in June, Wohlers said he focused on earning a spot with the Brown Bears. Now he’s one of seven blueliners on the roster.

“I’m really excited,” Wohlers said. “It’s a good association, good team. I like the coaching, the players.”

Wohlers, 17, is foregoing his senior season of high school hockey to play juniors, and he’s using online courses to complete his high school education. Wohlers said, regardless, he knew he didn’t want to play another year of high school and midgets, and he’s happy to have the chance to play junior hockey in his home state.

“I like it a lot. You have the assurance of being close to home, but I’m still away, still on my own, doing my own thing and playing hockey,” Wohlers said.

Wohlers is the youngest defenseman currently on the Kenai River roster and could make his debut Friday against the Avalanche at the Palmer Ice Arena.

“I’m excited, really excited,” Wohlers said.

Last year, Wohlers became the first Valley player since 2005 to earn first-team all-state honors in hockey. As a forward on Wasilla’s top line, Wohlers posted team highs in goals (30), points (54), penalty minutes (72) and plus-minus (+33). He was also second on the squad with 24 assists and three game-winning goals. Wohlers was also named the North Star Conference most valuable player.

Wohlers skated up front during his high school career to help fulfill a team need, but he’s played on the blue line for much of his hockey career.

“I feel I know the game better back there,” Wohlers said.

Wohlers said he’s looking forward to the more physical style of junior hockey.

“This league is very physical,” Wohlers said. “But that’s kind of part of my game.”

Wohlers got somewhat of a late start in hockey. He didn’t hit the ice until he was 9, and spent a number of years playing for local house programs. Wohlers said he started playing because his father is a former player, but as he got older, he started having more and more success.

“It became my own passion,” Wohlers said. “I kept working and working.”

Wohlers said he wants to take his hockey career past the junior level, but his goals are realistic.

“My ultimate goal is to get college paid for,” Wohlers said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.